A Medal for a Legend: Ozzy Osbourne

Fans, friends, and family came together last week at Merlin’s Bar to remember Ozzy Osbourne on the 21^st July, the eve of the first ever official Ozzy Day.

Broadcaster Ed James interviewed guest of honour Sharon Osbourne mid-event, and she reminded everyone that Ozzy would want us to “yank up the music really loud, as loud as you can get it, and just head bang.”

We were given a moment with Sharon so that Sally Costen could present her with the medal she designed in Ozzy’s honour. Sally fit countless references to Ozzy’s life, work and Brum onto the art medal, including the throne he performed from at his final show, his beloved pets and even the pattern that adorns the Birmingham Library. The medal won Gold in the 2D Medal Design category at this year’s Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards, fondly known within the industry as the ‘Jewellery Oscars’.

As named award patrons, Birmingham Assay Office and Thomas Fattorini collaborated on the category, with Sally’s winning design brought to life in silver by the world-renowned medal and insignia maker.

A graphic designer for 30 years, Sally moved into jewellery circa 2015, despite having a lifelong passion for the medium. When she studied at what was then Medway College of Art and Design, she was too young to enrol in the jewellery programme.

After a successful career as a cosmetics and fragrance packaging designer, Sally began to take jewellery courses and entered her first Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards in 2018.

“I didn’t think I would have a hope in hell as a bit of a novice. But I am a good designer, and I do understand briefs,” Sally explained. “So it did actually turn out to be a great thing to do for me. I like doing 2D and 3D, but the first one was for a cuff, and I got a silver for a 2D award… I really enjoyed doing it. I’m a good visualiser, so I used my skills from graphics directly.”

After winning the Gold award, Sally’s original design was displayed alongside other winners at the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards Exhibition at the Birmingham Assay Office in March 2026. The medal was produced by Fattorini in April in the Jewellery Quarter workshop, and Sally was invited by Director Tom Fattorini to witness it being pressed.

The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards take place annually. The competition is open to anyone to enter and includes a range of categories across both 2D and 3D designs.

You can see more of Sally’s work here.

Find out more information on the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards here.

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Birmingham Heritage Week 2026

We’re looking forward to opening the doors of Birmingham Assay Office to the public again as part of Birmingham Heritage Week 2026. The city-wide initiative has grown year on year and we enjoyed two sell-out tours of the hallmarking floor in 2025.